AllFreeNovel
Share Us
told the truth? In his way, he was as warped as Pallas had
been, twisted out of shape by the pressures his money
created around him.
She was so embarrassed that she barely tasted the
meal, but it was beautifully prepared and presented. She
shook her head when her host asked her to choose, and
left it all to him. He ran a quick eye over the menu and
chose shrimp cocktail; duck, green peas, orange sauce
and game chips followed for her by a creme caramel and
for himself with cheese.
She ate in almost total silence, answering only when
he asked her a question, painfully aware of the stares of
the other diners, and wishing herself anywhere but
there.
The dining-room emptied as they reached the coffee
stage and he leaned over to offer a cigarette, which she
refused. He asked if she would mind if he smoked. She
said that she did not, and watched him light his cigarette
and push the lighter back into his pocket.
He had long, slender, shapely hands, beautifully cared
for, and she stared at them with almost hypnotised
awareness.
“Now,” he said quietly, “shall we discuss my sister?”
Kate stared and glanced up from her contemplation of
his hands, her eyes wide. “Oh, yes ... of course.”
His look held hers for a second, one dark brow raised
quizzically. Then he smiled slightly. “Part of the problem
is that I have no experience of young girls. Had she been
a boy I might have understood her better. My mother, as
I said, is bed-ridden for much of the time. My sister-in-
